Connector system

ABSTRACT

THIS DISCLOSURE RELATES GENERALLY TO MULTI-CONDUCTOR ELECTRICAL WIRING AND MORE PARTICULARLY TO AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR MECHANICALLY CONNECTING ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS TO TERMINAL BOARDS, CHASSIS, ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS, TRANSMISSION LINES AND OTHER COMPONENTS. THE CONNECTOR COMPRISES A MALE BLADE TERMINAL OF TWO CONDUCTING BLADES, THE FLAT SIDES OF WHICH ARE MOUNTED PARALLEL TO ONE ANOTHER AND FACING ONE ANOTHER, WITH A THIN FILM OF INSULATION MATERIAL BETWEEN THE SURFACES OF THE BLADES. THE TERMINAL IS ADAPTED TO BE INSERTED INTO FEMALE CONNECTOR, WHICH MAY HAVE TWO CURVED RESILIENT BLADES EACH ADAPTED TO ENGAGE ONE OF THE TWO BLADES OF THE PIN SO AS TO FORM TWO SEPARATE PATHS OF CONDUCTION FROM THE BLADE TERMINAL TO THE FEMALE CONNECTOR. TERMINAL FITTINGS ARE PROVIDED TO TERMINATE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS TO THE BLADE TERMINAL.

Jams, 1971 .Filed sept. 1'3, 196e D. J. CRIMMINS CONNECTOR SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTUR. DA lr//D .f cpm/WM5 j @W W7 Arr RAV/H5 D. J. CRIMMINS A CONNECTOR SYSTEM LJam. 5, 1971 Filed sept. 15, 196e .3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN'IUR.

v0,4 wa .I cR/MM//vs Jan. 5, 197k D, J, CRlMMlNs 3,553,628

CONNECTOR SYSTEM Filed Sept. I5, 1968 l C5 Sheets-Sheet :5

United States Patent O 3,553,628 CONNECTOR SYSTEM David J. Crimmins, Stockton, NJ., assignor to Thomas & Betts Corporation, Elizabeth, NJ., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Sept. 13, 1968, Ser. No. 759,733 Int. Cl. H011- 3/06 U.S. Cl. 339-14 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates generally to multi-conductor electrical wiring and more particularly to an electrical connector for mechanically connecting electrical conductors to terminal boards, chassis, electrical conductors, transmission lines and other components. The connector comprises a male blade terminal of two conducting blades, the flat sides of which are mounted parallel to one another and facing one another, with a thin film of insulation material between the surfaces of the blades. The terminal is adapted to be inserted into a female connector, which may have two curved resilient blades each adapted to engage one of the two blades of the pin so as to form two separate paths of conduction from the blade terminal to the female connector. Terminal fittings are provided to terminate electrical conductors to the blade terminal.

This invenion relates to a new and improved connector system for multiconductor wiring, more particularly to a new and improved connector system for multiconductor wiring wherein individual male blade terminals are adapted to terminate a plurality of electrical conductors.

In known connector systems for terminating a plurality of electrical conductors an individual terminal is usually provided for each conductor. The resulting consumption of space presents a problem, particularly in complex, intricately wired, miniaturized circuits such as used in computers or the like. In such known systems power loss often occurs, because of impedance mismatch and resultant standing waves. lElectrical conductors are normally terminated in such connector systems by soldering them to the terminal. If it is desired to separate the conductor from the terminal, the terminal is usually damaged and cannot be used again.

It is desirable that a connector system consume the least amount of space for the number of terminations involved or provide the greatest number of terminations for a given amount of space. Such a system should also be light in weight, flexible and durable; should provide impedance control from electrical conductor to terminal to receptacle and should be so designed that is components can be reused if a conductor is separated from a terminal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, the connector system of the present invention comprises a plurality of male blade terminals each of which is adapted to terminate a pluarity of electrical conductors.

It is thus one of the objects of this invention to provide an electrical connector system which when used with a terminal board or chassis will allow the connection of a greater number of conductors to the terminal board or chassis in the same amount of space, as compared to presently used conventional connector systems, by means of having each terminal of the connector terminate at least two conductors. This connector system results in a reduction in the amount of space required on a terminal board or chassis for the connection of a given number of cOnductors to the terminal board or chassis.

ICC

It is another object of this invention to provide an electrical connector system in which the terminals can be disconnected from electrical conductors and reused again with another electrical conductor `without damage to the terminal.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the connector comprises a plurality of male blade terminals, coupler means, a plug, a grounding wedge, and a receptacle. The male blade terminal is comprised of two conducting blades with a thin film of insulation material between the surfaces of the blades. One end of the blade terminal is joined to electrical conductors, by means of the coupler means. This coupler means, which is crimped to the terminal, provides an electrical connection between one of the conductors and one of the blades. The coupler means and blade terminal normally terminate a pair of conductors. The other end of the terminal, that is, the opposite end from the end to which the coupler means and conductors are attached, is inserted into the receptacle. The female receptacle normally has two spring blades corresponding to the two blades of the male terminal `which are adapted to electrically contact the male blade terminals. The female receptacle is normally mounted on a terminal board or chassis. A plug is positioned at about the mid-portion of the male blade terminal, the plug providing support for the male terminal and enabling it to be inserted into a member of the desired connector assembly. The plug has an optional grounding wedge of triangular shape which is adapted to be fitted into a slot in the plug so that one end of the wedge extends out beyond the side of the plug to make elecrical contact between one of the blades of the pin and the chassis member into which the plug is inserted, thereby providing a grounding connection, if desired, from one of the blades of the pin to the chassis member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. l is a perspective view o-f the pins of two connectors as they are inserted into a terminal board.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view at line 2-2 of FIG. l showing the entire connector system.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of part of the connector system and terminal board, and a section of terminal board.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of part of the connector system; the male blade terminal, the coupler means, and part of a conductor attached to a terminal.

FIG. 5 is a disassembled fragmentary view of part of the male blade terminal, the coupler means, and part of a conductor.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of part of the connector; the coupler means, when used with flat conductor cabling.

FIG. 7 is a vertical section along the line 8 8 of FIG. 4 showing the coupler means before crimping.

FIG. 8 is the same vertical section as in FIG. 7, along the line 8`8 of FIG. 4, showing the coupler means after crimping.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the invention in which the blade terminal has been modified for use with a conventional receptacle.

FIG. 10 illustrates still another embodiment of the invention, showing one half of the modified terminal for use with a conventional receptacle or grounding bus.

FIG. 11 is a frontal view of a terminal of the type shown in FIG. 10 when placed in the back of a panel of a terminal board or a chassis.

FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of the invention showing a terminal of the type shown in FIG. 10, further modified by the addition of a square shank, placed in the back of a panel of a terminal board or a chassis.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows a connector system of the present invention wherein a chassis member 3 100` is provided with a plurality of plug means 102. Blade assemblies 104 are adapted to be inserted into plugs 102 and are interconnected by electrical conductor means 106 having a pair of electrical conductors.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 2, there is shown in sectional view a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a female receptacle 3 is provided with two spring contacts 4 between which a male blade terminal 6 is inserted. A plug 8 has a circular flange or head adapted for mounting the plug into an opening 9 in the backboard 10 of a terminal board or chassis. Plug 8 can be formed of a molded plastic material or other insulating material and is used to support the terminal in the opening. There is a slot 11 extending through the center of the plug which slot is adapted to receive the terminal. This slot is also preferably provided in the plug for the insertion of a triangular shaped grounding wedge 14. Coupler means 16 is provided to connect the conductors to terminal 6 at end 18 thereof. As shown, each coupler 16 terminates two conductors 17 and 19. Blade 6 is comprised of two conducting blades 21 and 23 whose fiat surfaces are parallel and facing one another. The blades are separated by a thin film 24 of insulating material. Film 24 may be of any suitable material such as plastic, rubber or the like. Preferably blades 21 and 23 and film 24 are bonded together.

FIG. illustrates the conductors 17 and 19 are attached to the terminal 6 by means of the coupler 16. Coupler 16 comprises two terminal fittings 30 and 32 and a carrier 36 to house the two terminal fittings and keep them in proper spacial relationship with one another. Each terminal fitting has a bore 34 and 35 into which conductors 17 and 19 may be inserted, enabling each coupler to terminate two separate electrical signals. The portion of terminal 6 which is to be fitted into coupler 16 is provided with two pairs of flanges 26. FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of this portion of terminal 6. Terminal fittings 30 and 32 are generally T-shaped and are positioned with the foot of one T-shaped terminal fitting opposite the foot of the other T-shaped terminal fitting so that blade terminal 6 may be fitted in between these two T-shaped terminal fittings. After conductors 17 and 19 have been inserted into the bores 34 and 35 of the terminal fittings 30 and 32, a crimping force is applied to coupler 16 to provide a tight electrical connection between terminal 6, coupler 16 and conductors 17 and 19. The terminal fittings are preferably made of a ductile material such as sintered powdered metal which under the pressure of crimping will become molded to the shape of the flanges of the terminal and will thereby establish a firm electrical connection from the conductors through the terminal fittings to each of the respective blades of the terminal.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 7 and 8 the assembly of the conductors with the male blade terminal by means of the coupler means is more clearly shown. FIG. 4 shows coupler 16 after the conductors have been inserted into the openings in the terminal fittings and after the terminal has been inserted between the two terminal fittings. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional View taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 4 showing coupler 16 after conductors 17 and 19 have been inserted into bores 34 and 35 in T-shaped terminal fittings and after terminal 6 has been inserted between the two terminal fittings but before crimping forces have been applied to the coupler. As shown, flanges 26 grip the foot of the respective T-shaped terminal fitting.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional View taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 4 showing the crimped assembly. The ductile metal of terminal fittings 30 and 32 have been molded by the pressure of crimping to the shape of the inside of 26 and 27, thereby establishing a gas tight electrical connection between the conductors which have been inserted into the bores 34 and 35 of the terminal fittings and blades 21 and 23. Since blades 21 and 23 are separated by a film 24 of insulating material, electrical insulation therebetween is provided. Thus separate conductive paths are provided from conductor 17 through fitting 30 to blade 21 and from conductor 19 through fitting 32 to blade 23.

FIG. 3 is a disassembled view of the components used to mount the connector on a terminal board of a chassis. The plug 8 is inserted into a hole 9 of suitable size in the terminal board 10. The plug has two slots, one slot 20 to receive blade terminal 12 and the other slot 22 to receive the grounding Wedge 14. When plug 8 has been inserted into terminal board 10, terminal 12 has been inserted into slot 20 of plug 8 and grounding wedge 14 has been fitted into slot 22 of plug 8, a grounding connection is established between blade 21 of chassis board or member 10 by means of wedge 14. Insulation film 24 prevents grounding of blade 23 to member 10 thus enabling each of the two blades of terminal 6 to establish separate electrical paths.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-12. there are shown modifications of the embodiment described whereinabove wherein the terminal is provided with a bullet type head.

FIG. 9 illustrates the terminal blade of the connector modified by the addition of two conical or bullet-shaped points 42 and 44 for insertion into cylindrical type female sockets. Blades 21 and 23 have been bent out so that the proper spacing between bullet-shaped points 42 and 44 is established.

FIG. l0 illustrates a male blade terminal in which only one of the blades has been modified by a bullet-shaped point 42 and part of the other blade has been removed. FIG. 11 shows the terminal of FIG. l0 with its bulletshaped point 42 and the fianges of the blade 26 mounted on a chassis member 50: Tabs 52 of member 50` are notched as at 54 to mate with fianges 26, the notching being such that the terminal is mounted generally perpendicular of tab 52.

FIG. 12 shows the terminal of FIG. l0 as further modified by the addition of a square shank 60` as being mounted on a chassis member 50a. Chassis member 50a is provided with tabs 52a notched as at 54a to permit mounting of the terminal in alignment with tab 52a, anges 26 of the terminal mating with the notching to provide mechanical assembly of the terminal to the member.

As shown in FIG. 6 coupler means 6 is terminated to the conductors of fiat conductor cabling 62.

It is thus seen that a connector system is provided that is compact and that permits a greater number of terminations within a given space than -is obtainable with known connector systems. In addition a system is provided which is varsatile allowing a great variety of wiring combinations and compatibility with conventional connector hardware. The system is economical and provides minimal electrical losses across the connector. A plurality of teranimations may be made by means of each male blade terminal and a gas tight low loss electrical connection is made between terminal and conductor.

What is claimed is:

l1. An electrical connector comprising two blades of conductive material;

a film insulating material positioned between said blades and contiguous therewith, said film extending along the length of the blades to separate the blades from physical and electrical contact with one another;

a pair of flanges for each blade extending along a portion of the length of each blade, each pair of Said fianges positioned on the outer surface of the blade and opposite the pair of flanges of the other blade; and

coupler means including two T-shaped terminal fittings made of a ductile conductive material, each terminal fitting being connected to both an electrical conductor and the fianges of one of the said two blades.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein the blades are respectively bonded to the intermediate film of insulating material.

3. The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein the coupler means also includes a sleeve for maintaining the two T-shaped terminal fittings in spaced relationship.

4. The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein each of said terminal ttings has a hole therein which receives the electrical conductor.

5. The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said T-shaped terminal fittings are comprised of sintered powdered metal.

6. The electrical connector 0f claim 1 including a receptacle into which the ends of said blades opposite the anges are inserted, said receptacle having two spring contacts, each of which mechanically contacts one of said blades of conductive material to form an electrical connection.

7. The electrical connector of claim 1 including a plug of insulating material which provides support for the ends of the blades opposite the anges and is mounted in a chassis member, said plug having a iirst slot for receivling the free ends of the blades therethrough, and a second slot substantially perpendicular to and intersecting said rst slot; a grounding member of conductive ma- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 765,183 7/1904 Kise 339--l76('P)X 3,202,953 8/'1965 Bosworth et al. 339-42 3,337,833 8/1967 Creedon 339-14 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner R. A. HAFER, Assistant Examiner U.S. C1. X.R. 

